Memory drive storage tray and memory drive carrier for use therewith

ABSTRACT

Technology is provided for a memory drive storage tray. The memory drive storage tray includes a frame that defines one or more drive bays, each configured to contain a memory drive. Each drive bay includes an associated drive connector for interfacing the memory drive with the memory drive storage tray. Each drive bay also includes a first retainer tab positioned on the frame adjacent the drive connector and a second retainer tab, longer than the first retainer tab, positioned on the frame opposite the first retainer tab. A resilient member, such as a leaf spring, is centrally positioned in the drive bay opposite the drive connector to urge the memory drive toward the drive connector. The resilient member holds the memory drive in place against the drive connector and under the first and second retainer tabs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application is directed to data storage serverconfigurations and, more specifically, to a memory drive storage trayand a memory drive carrier.

BACKGROUND

Traditional memory drive storage trays include individual covers toretain the memory drives in their corresponding drive bays. However,these covers can make servicing the memory drives more difficult and canalso interfere with cooling the memory drives. The drive bays of memorydrive storage trays are usually configured to accept one type and sizeof memory drive, such as a 3.5 inch hard disc drive (HDD). However, inthe course of maintaining and upgrading data storage servers, it may bedesirable to change the memory drive type and/or size. For example, insome cases, it may be desirable to replace a 3.5 inch HDD with a 2.5inch solid state drive (SSD). Accordingly, there is a need for memorydrive storage trays that are convenient to service and allow improvedcooling of memory drives. There is also a need to adapt memory drivesfor insertion into a drive bay that is configured for a different sizeand/or type of memory drive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the memory drive storage tray and memory drive carrierintroduced herein may be better understood by referring to the followingDetailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similarelements:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a memory drive storage trayaccording to a representative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a drive bay in thememory drive storage tray.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating a hard discdrive shown in an intermediate position during insertion into the drivebay of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the hard disc drive ofFIG. 3 fully inserted into the drive bay.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a memory drive storagetray according to another representative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a memory drive storagetray according to a further representative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is perspective view of a memory drive carrier for adapting amemory drive for insertion into a drive bay.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the memory drive carrier shown inFIG. 7 as viewed from underneath.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the memory drive carrier shown inFIGS. 7 as viewed from underneath.

FIG. 10 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the memory drivecarrier of FIG. 9.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do notnecessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed embodiments.Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Forexample, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may beexpanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of theembodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable tovarious modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detailbelow. The intention, however, is not to limit the embodimentsdescribed. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope ofthe embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Memory drive storage trays and a memory drive carriers are disclosed. Inan embodiment, the memory drive storage tray includes a frame thatdefines one or more drive bays, each configured to contain a memorydrive, such as a 3.5 inch HDD. Each drive bay includes an associateddrive connector for interfacing the memory drive with the memory drivestorage tray. Each drive bay also includes a first retainer tab coupledto the frame adjacent the drive connector and a second retainer tab,longer than the first retainer tab, coupled to the frame generallyopposite the first retainer tab. A resilient member, such as a leafspring, is coupled to the frame in the drive bay generally opposite thedrive connector to urge the memory drive toward the drive connector. Amemory drive is installed in one of the drive bays by sliding one end ofthe memory drive under the second retainer tab and against the resilientmember until the other end of the memory drive clears the first retainertab. Next, the memory drive is pivoted or rotated so it can slide underthe first retainer tab, and the memory drive slides toward the driveconnector via the resilient member under the first retainer until itoperatively engages the drive connector. The resilient member holds thememory drive in place against the drive connector and under the firstand second retainer tabs.

The memory drive carrier adapts a memory drive for insertion into adrive bay that is larger than the memory drive. For example, in someembodiments, the memory drive carrier adapts a 2.5 inch SSD forinsertion into a 3.5 inch HDD drive bay. The memory drive carrierincludes an adapter body having a frame that defines an envelopecompatible with the drive bay. The adapter body also includes aplurality of spaced apart walls defining a slot sized to receive thememory drive and position the memory drive's connector within theenvelope adjacent an associated drive connector of the drive bay.

General Description

Various examples of the devices introduced above will now be describedin further detail. The following description provides specific detailsfor a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples.One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that thetechniques discussed herein may be practiced without many of thesedetails. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understandthat the technology can include many other features not described indetail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions maynot be shown or described in detail below so as to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the relevant description.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadestreasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with adetailed description of some specific examples of the embodiments.Indeed, some terms may even be emphasized below; however, anyterminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will beovertly and specifically defined as such in this section.

FIG. 1 illustrates a memory drive storage tray 100 according to arepresentative embodiment. The memory drive storage tray 100 includes aframe 110 and a plurality of partitions 116 defining a plurality ofdrive bays 112. Each drive bay has a front end portion 113, a rear endportion 115, a bottom wall 117, and an open top. Each drive bay 112 alsoincludes an associated drive connector 120 at the front end portion 113that connects to a memory drive, such as a 3.5 inch HDD. In someembodiments, selected ones of the drive bays 112 include retainer tabs122 and 124 to hold the memory drive in position within the drive bays112 while the remaining drive bays employ traditional drive bay covers114. In at least one embodiment, all of the memory drive storage traydrive bays include the retainer tabs 122 and 124 rather than the covers114. The retainer tabs 122 and 124 provide for easier access to installand remove the memory drives and also allow improved cooling of thememory drives. It has been found in some applications that using theretainer tabs 122 and 124, rather than the covers 114, allows the memorydrives to run approximately three degrees cooler.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drive bay 112 includes a first retainer tab 122positioned on the frame 110 at the front end portion 113 of the drivebay and adjacent the drive connector 120. A second retainer tab 124 ispositioned on the frame 110 at the rear end portion 115 of the drive baygenerally opposite the first retainer tab 122. At least one resilientmember 126 is positioned in the drive bay 112 opposite the driveconnector 120. In this embodiment, there are two resilient members 126in the form of compression springs that are operative to urge a memorydrive toward the drive connector 120 as explained more fully below. Insome embodiments, the retainer tabs 122 and 124 are attached to theframe 110 by suitable fasteners 128, such as rivets, welds, screws,adhesive, or other fasteners. In still other embodiments, the retainertabs 122 and 124 are integrally formed with the frame 110. Accordingly,the frame 110 and the retainer tabs 122 and 124 may be comprised ofsheet metal. In some embodiments, the resilient members 126 can beadhered or welded to the frame 110. In other embodiments, the resilientmembers 126 can be attached to the frame 110 with suitable fasteners.

FIG. 3 illustrates a memory drive 10 partially inserted into the drivebay 112. In this embodiment, the memory drive 10 is a 3.5 inch HDD. Thememory drive 10 is installed in the drive bay 112 by sliding a rear endportion 15 of the memory drive 10 under the second retainer tab 124 andagainst the resilient members 126 so as to compress the resilientmembers 126 until the rear end portion 15 of the memory drive 10 clearsthe first retainer tab 122 and can move downwardly into the drive bay112 toward the bottom wall 117. As shown in FIG. 4, the memory drive 10is placed under the first retainer tab 122 by moving the memory drive 10toward the drive connector 120 (see FIG. 2) until it engages the driveconnector 120. The resilient members 126 urge and hold the memory drive10 in place against the drive connector 120 with the front end portion13 and the rear end portion 15 of the memory drive 10 positioned underthe first retainer tab 122 and the second retainer tab 124,respectively. Accordingly, the first and second retainer tabs 122/124block the memory drive 10 from inadvertently moving out of the drive bay112 away from the bottom wall 117, which could inadvertently disconnectthe memory drive 10 from the drive connector 120.

As can be appreciated in FIG. 4, the second retainer tab 124 is longerthan the first retainer tab 122. In addition, the distance X between thefirst retainer tab 122 and second retainer tab 124 is less than thelength of the memory drive 10. In this case, distance X is less than thelength of a 3.5 inch HDD, specifically, distance X is less thanapproximately 5.8 inches. Although the memory drive storage tray isdescribed with respect to a 3.5 inch HDD, the disclosed retainers can beused with any suitable size and type of memory drive including SSDs, aswell as the memory drive carrier described below.

FIG. 5 illustrates another representative embodiment of the memory drivestorage tray that employs a single centrally located resilient member126 positioned under the second retainer tab 124. Centrally locatedresilient member 126 has the advantage of contacting the HDD platterhousing which should remain consistent across different manufacturers.In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the resilient member comprisesa leaf spring 226 attached to the frame 110 by a rivet 228. It should beappreciated that the leaf spring 226 can be attached to the frame 110 atonly one end with the rivet 228 or other fastener, thereby allowing theleaf spring 226 to compress.

FIG. 7 illustrates a memory drive carrier 300 according to arepresentative embodiment for adapting a memory drive 20 having a memorydrive connector 22 for insertion into a drive bay, such as a drive bay112 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6. In this embodiment,memory drive 20 is a 2.5 inch SSD. The drive bays 112 are larger thanthe memory drive 20 as they are configured to receive a 3.5 inch HDD.Although the memory drive carrier 300 is described with respect to a 2.5inch SSD, the disclosed memory drive carrier technology can be used withany suitable size and type of memory drive, including HDDs, smaller thanthe drive bay 112.

The memory drive carrier 300 includes an adapter body 310 having anenvelope that is compatible with drive bay 112. The adapter body'senvelope is defined by its length L₁, width W₁, and thickness T₁.Accordingly, in this embodiment, these dimensions correspond to a 3.5inch HDD. Thus, in some embodiments, L₁=approximately 5.75 inches,W₁=approximately 4 inches, and T₁=approximately 1 inch. The adapter body310 includes a slot 312 that is sized to receive the memory drive 20.Accordingly, the slot 312 has a length L₂, a width W₂, and a thicknessT₂ which correspond to the dimensions of the memory drive 20. In someembodiments, L₂=approximately 4 inches, W₂=approximately 2.75 inches,and T₂=approximately 0.276 inches which correspond to the dimensions ofa 2.5 inch SSD. In some embodiments, T₂ =approximately 0.59 inches. Theslot 312 is positioned within the envelope of the adapter body 310 inorder to position the memory drive connector 22 within the envelopeadjacent an associated drive connector 120 of drive bay 112 (see FIG.2). Although specific representative dimensions are provided above, itshould be understood that the dimensions can be adjusted to suit varioussizes and types of memory drives and drive bays.

As shown in FIG. 8, the adapter body 310 includes a frame 314 comprisinga plurality of surrounding wall portions. For example, the frame 314includes front wall portion 324, back wall portion 316, and side wallportions 318 and 322. The frame 314 also includes partitions 320 and326. Adapter body 310 also includes a plurality of spaced apart wallsthat define the slot 312. Specifically, the spaced apart walls include aback wall 330, a side wall 332, an upper wall 336, and a lower wall 334.A retainer tab 344 is positioned opposite the side wall 332. Theretainer tab 344 is a thin structure and only extends partially alongslot 312. The retainer tab 344 helps to maintain the memory drive 20 inthe slot 312 while not interfering with locating the memory driveconnector 22 of the memory drive 20 such that it can interface with thedrive connector 120 of drive bay 112. The memory drive 20 is placed inthe memory drive carrier 300 by inserting a rear end portion 24 (seeFIG. 7) of the memory drive 20 into the slot 312 between the upper wall336 and the lower wall 334 until the rear end portion 24 contacts theback wall 330, and the memory drive 20 is between the side wall 332 andthe retainer tab 344. Once the memory drive 20 is placed in the memorydrive carrier, the memory drive carrier 300 along with the memory drive20 can be installed into the drive bay 112 as if it were a 3.5 inch HDDas explained above with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, the memory driveconnector 22 of the memory drive 20 is connected to the drive connector120 of the drive bay 112.

With further reference to FIG. 9, it can be appreciated that selectedones of the wall portions and the partitions include one or more ventopenings. For example, the back wall portion 316 includes a plurality ofvent openings 352, and the front wall portion 324 includes a pluralityof vent openings 350. It should be understood that the vent openings 352and 350, for example, facilitate cooling of the memory drive 20 wheninstalled in the memory drive carrier 300. To that end, the upper wall336 and the lower wall 334 both include apertures to further facilitatecooling. In this embodiment, the upper wall 336 includes one largeaperture 340, and the lower wall 334 includes three apertures 342.Although particular vent openings and apertures are shown with respectto the described embodiments, other vent openings and apertures may beincluded or omitted to facilitate cooling as needed depending on thetype and size of the memory drive.

As shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the lower wall 334 cancomprise a separate plate that is attached to the adapter body 310. Insome embodiments, the lower wall 334 is comprised of a metallicmaterial, for example, in order to act as an integral heat sink to helpdissipate heat from the memory drive 20. Furthermore, making the lowerwall 334 a separate piece may also facilitate injection molding of thememory drive carrier 300. In some embodiments, the adapter body 310includes a plurality of pins 354 to which the lower wall 334 can beattached. For example, the lower wall 334 can include a plurality ofmating apertures 356 that receive the pins 354. The pins 354 may bemelted or staked to retain the lower wall 334 on the carrier. In someembodiments, a pair of rubber strips 360 may be adhered to the lowerwall 334 to help maintain the memory drive 20 in position within theslot 312.

Remarks

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in someinstances, well-known details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, theembodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. It will be appreciated thatthe same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently,alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of theterms discussed herein, and any special significance is not to be placedupon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonymsfor some terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does notexclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in thisspecification, including examples of any term discussed herein, isillustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope andmeaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, thedisclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in thisspecification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientificterms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the caseof conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory drive storage tray for use with one ormore memory drives, comprising: a frame defining one or more drive bays,selected ones of the one or more drive bays including: an associateddrive connector for connecting to a memory drive substantially parallelto a bottom plane of the one or more drive bays; a first retainer tabpositioned on the frame adjacent the associated drive connector suchthat the memory drive can be positioned under the first retainer tab,wherein the first retainer tab comprises a retaining portion extendingsubstantially parallel to the bottom plane, an attachment portionattached to the frame, and an intermediate portion connecting theretaining portion and the attachment portion, and wherein the retainingportion, the intermediate portion, and the attachment portion of thefirst retainer tab is arranged in a Z-shape; a second retainer tabpositioned on the frame on a side of the drive bay opposite the firstretainer tab such that the memory drive can be positioned under thesecond retainer tab, wherein the second retainer tab comprises aretaining portion extending towards the first retainer tab substantiallyparallel to the bottom plane and an attachment portion attached to frameand connected to the retaining portion, and wherein the retainingportion and the attachment portion of the second retainer tab isarranged in an L-shape; and at least one resilient member positioned inthe drive bay adjacent the second retainer tab and operative to urge thememory drive toward the associated drive connector, wherein only one endof the resilient member is attached to the frame; wherein a length ofthe retaining portion of the second retainer tab extending towards thefirst retainer tab is longer than a length of the retaining portion ofthe first retainer tab extending towards the second retainer tab suchthat the memory drive can be slid under the second retainer tab tocompress the resilient member in order to clear the first retainer tab.2. The memory drive storage tray of claim 1, wherein the at least oneresilient member is a compression spring.
 3. The memory drive storagetray of claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member is a leafspring.
 4. The memory drive storage tray of claim 1, wherein the firstand second retainer tabs are spaced apart from each other by a distanceless than a length of the memory drive.
 5. The memory drive storage trayof claim 1, wherein the associated drive connector is aligned with andengageable with the memory drive.
 6. A memory drive storage tray for usewith one or more memory drives, comprising: a frame defining one or moredrive bays, selected ones of the one or more drive bays including: anassociated drive connector for connecting to a memory drivesubstantially parallel to a bottom plane of the one or more drive bays;a first retainer tab positioned on a first portion of the frame adjacentthe associated drive connector such that the memory drive can bepositioned under the first retainer tab, wherein the first retainer tabcomprises a retaining portion extending substantially parallel to thebottom plane, an attachment portion attached to the frame, and anintermediate portion connecting the retaining portion and the attachmentportion, and wherein the retaining portion, the intermediate portion,and the attachment portion of the first retainer tab is arranged in aZ-shape; a second retainer tab positioned on the frame on a secondportion of the frame opposite the first portion of the frame such thatthe memory drive can be positioned under the second retainer tab,wherein the second retainer tab comprises a retaining portion extendingtowards the first retainer tab substantially parallel to the bottomplane and an attachment portion attached to the frame and connected tothe retaining portion, and wherein the retaining portion and theattachment portion of the second retainer tab is arranged in an L-shape;and a resilient member positioned in the selected ones of the one ormore drive bays on the second portion of the frame and operative to urgethe memory drive toward the associated drive connector, wherein only oneend of the resilient member is attached to the frame; wherein a lengthof the retaining portion of the second retainer tab extending towardsthe first retainer tab is longer than a length of the retaining portionof the first retainer tab extending towards the second retainer tab suchthat the memory drive can be slid under the second retainer tab tocompress the resilient member in order to clear the first retainer tab.7. The memory drive storage tray of claim 6, wherein the first andsecond retainer tabs are attached to the frame with rivets.
 8. Thememory drive storage tray of claim 6, wherein the resilient member iscentrally positioned on the second portion of the frame.
 9. The memorydrive storage tray of claim 6, wherein the frame comprises sheet metal.10. The memory drive storage tray of claim 6, wherein the first andsecond retainer tabs are spaced apart from each other by a distance lessthan a length of a 3.5 inch hard disc drive.
 11. The memory drivestorage tray of claim 10, wherein the first and second retainer tabs arespaced apart from each other by a distance less than approximately 5.8inches.
 12. The memory drive storage tray of claim 6, wherein theresilient member is a compression spring.
 13. The memory drive storagetray of claim 6, wherein the resilient member is a leaf spring.
 14. Amemory drive storage tray for use with one or more memory drives,comprising: a sheet metal frame defining one or more drive bays,selected ones of the one or more drive bays including: an associateddrive connector for connecting to a memory drive substantially parallelto a bottom plane of the one or more drive bays; a first retainer tabpositioned on a first portion of the sheet metal frame adjacent theassociated drive connector such that the memory drive can be positionedunder the first retainer tab, wherein the first retainer tab comprises aretaining portion extending substantially parallel to the bottom plane,an attachment portion attached to the frame, and an intermediate portionconnecting the retaining portion and the attachment portion, and whereinthe retaining portion, the intermediate portion, and the attachmentportion of the first retainer tab is arranged in a Z-shape; a secondretainer tab positioned on the sheet metal frame on a second portion ofthe sheet metal frame opposite the first retainer tab such that thememory drive can be positioned under the second retainer tab, whereinthe second retainer tab comprises a retaining portion extending towardsthe first retainer tab substantially parallel to the bottom plane and anattachment portion attached to the frame and connected to the retainingportion, and wherein the retaining portion and the attachment portion ofthe second retainer tab is arranged in an L-shape; and a leaf springcentrally positioned in the selected ones of the one or more drive bayson the second portion and operative to urge the memory drive toward theassociated drive connector, wherein the leaf spring is attached to thesheet metal frame at only one end, and a length of the second retainertab extending towards the first retainer tab is longer than a length thefirst retainer tab extending towards the second retainer tab such thatthe memory drive can be slid under the second retainer tab to compressthe leaf spring in order to clear the first retainer tab.
 15. The memorydrive storage tray of claim 14, wherein the first and second retainertabs are integrally formed with the sheet metal frame.
 16. The memorydrive storage tray of claim 14, wherein the first and second retainertabs are spaced apart from each other by a distance less than a lengthof a 3.5 inch hard disc drive.
 17. The memory drive storage tray ofclaim 16, wherein the first and second retainer tabs are spaced apartfrom each other by a distance less than approximately 5.8 inches.